CVE-2010-1243 in WEBi
Summary
by MITRE
The IBM Web Interface for Content Management (aka WEBi) before 1.0.4 creates persistent cookies on client workstations, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1243 affects IBM Web Interface for Content Management version 1.0.3 and earlier, representing a security flaw in the web-based content management interface that has implications for user privacy and system security. This issue stems from the application's behavior of creating persistent cookies on client workstations without proper security considerations, which creates potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw involves the creation of persistent cookies that remain stored on client systems for extended periods, potentially allowing unauthorized access to content management resources. These persistent cookies can store session information, authentication tokens, or other sensitive data that could be intercepted or manipulated by attackers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and represents a weakness in the cookie management implementation that fails to properly secure session data. The unspecified impact and attack vectors indicate that the vulnerability could potentially enable various forms of unauthorized access or data compromise depending on how the persistent cookies are utilized within the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential session hijacking, unauthorized content access, and data leakage scenarios. When persistent cookies are created without proper security attributes such as HttpOnly, Secure, or SameSite flags, they become vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks, session fixation attempts, and other exploitation techniques. Attackers could potentially capture these cookies through various means including man-in-the-middle attacks, client-side malware, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities in the web application. The persistent nature of these cookies means that even after a user closes their browser, the session information remains available, creating extended windows of opportunity for exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which involves the use of unauthorized access to network resources through session management weaknesses, and also relates to T1566 which covers social engineering tactics that could leverage persistent cookie data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper cookie security measures including setting appropriate flags such as HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite to prevent unauthorized access and cross-site scripting attacks. Organizations should update to IBM Web Interface for Content Management version 1.0.4 or later, which addresses this specific vulnerability through improved cookie handling mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper session management practices including session timeout mechanisms, secure cookie attributes, and regular cookie rotation can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious cookie behavior can provide additional defense in depth. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of the web interface to identify any other potential session management weaknesses, and regular security audits to ensure that persistent cookie creation follows established security best practices. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of persistent cookies and the importance of maintaining secure browsing practices.